Two-storey rear extensions in Northwood Hills
A two-storey rear extension is one of the most space-efficient ways to add bedrooms and living space to a house in Northwood Hills, because the new floors share one set of foundations and one roof.
Quick reference for homeowners in Northwood Hills.
- Postcode districts
- HA6
- County / area
- Greater London, England
- Price region
- London
- Guide price
- £67,000–£90,500 (£2,400–£3,240 per m²)
- Approval route
- It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission.
- Nearest towns
- Northwood (1.1 miles), Pinner (1.2 miles), Hatch End (1.7 miles)
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About a two-storey rear extension
A two-storey rear extension suits you if you need more room on both floors and have a reasonably deep garden. You get one team for the whole job: a measured survey, the design, a check on whether permitted development applies, planning drawings where they are needed, structural design, building regulations approval and the build itself, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K. Every project starts with a free site visit.
We cover postcode district HA6 in and around Northwood Hills, along with neighbouring Northwood, Pinner and Hatch End.
What it costs in Northwood Hills
Using our London rates, a two-storey rear extension with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £67,000–£90,500, including VAT. Bigger or more glazed designs cost more per m². Design fees, structural calculations and approval fees are separate and listed on our prices page.
| Spec | Per m² | A 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £2,210–£2,980 per m² | £62,000–£83,500 |
| Standard | £2,400–£3,240 per m² | £67,000–£90,500 |
| Premium | £2,880–£3,890 per m² | £80,500–£109,000 |
Planning and building regulations in Northwood Hills
In England, a two-storey rear extension can be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the rear wall of the original house, stays at least 7 m from the rear boundary and matches the house's materials and roof pitch. It is not permitted development in conservation areas, National Landscapes, National Parks, World Heritage Sites or the Broads. Otherwise a householder application costs £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026).
Approval in England: Householder planning application: £548 (or £575 for applications made from 8 December 2026). Lawful development certificate: £274 (about £288 for applications from 8 December 2026). Councils should decide householder applications within 8 weeks of validation.
Building regulations: Building regulations approval (full plans recommended) from the council or a registered building control approver, with a completion certificate at the end.
Design points for Northwood Hills homes
Opening up the ground floor
Knocking through the old rear wall means steel beams to carry the first floor and roof above. The structural engineer sets the beam sizes, padstones and any posts, and we plan them early so the open-plan layout you want is the one that gets built.
Foundations and drains
Foundations for two storeys carry more load than a single storey and may need to go deeper near trees or on clay. Rear extensions often sit near drains, so we check sewer records early, as building over or near a public sewer may need the water company's agreement.
How we'd run your project
Start at your house
We come to your home in Northwood Hills, measure up, check the ground floor walls and roof structure, and note anything near the boundaries.
Choose the approval route
Some designs fit permitted development, most need a householder application. We decide which applies in England before drawing in detail.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
Build and sign-off
Vetted teams working under S&K build the extension, and we arrange the building control completion certificate at the end.
Questions about two-storey rear extensions in Northwood Hills
How much does a two-storey rear extension cost in Northwood Hills?
Our guide for London, which covers Northwood Hills, is £2,400–£3,240 per m² including VAT. A typical project with a 4 m × 3.5 m footprint on two floors (28 m² of new floor space) comes to about £67,000–£90,500. Design and approval fees are extra, and we fix the build price in writing once the design is agreed.
Which postcodes do you cover around Northwood Hills?
We cover Northwood Hills (HA6) and nearby places including Northwood, Pinner and Hatch End, plus the rest of Greater London. The first site visit is free.
Do I need planning permission for a two-storey rear extension in Northwood Hills?
Northwood Hills is in England, so England planning rules apply. It may be permitted development if it goes no more than 3 m beyond the original rear wall (counting any single-storey part) and stays 7 m from the rear boundary; otherwise it needs planning permission. If in doubt, a lawful development certificate or a planning application gives you certainty before you build.
Will a two-storey rear extension block my neighbour's light?
It can if it is too deep or too close to the boundary, which is why councils look closely at its effect on neighbouring windows and gardens. We test the design against light and outlook early, keep the first floor shorter or set in where needed, and use a hipped roof to reduce bulk on the boundary side.
Can I have a balcony on a two-storey rear extension?
In England, balconies, verandas and raised platforms are not permitted development, so a balcony on a two-storey rear extension needs planning permission. A Juliet balcony, a guard rail across full-height doors with no platform to stand on, is often a practical alternative, but it still needs checking against the rules and the council's approach to overlooking.
Nearby
The same service in neighbouring towns:
Other extensions in Northwood Hills
- Side
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- Over a garage
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in Northwood Hills · Two-storey rear extensions across Greater London
The quickest next step is a visit. We'll look at your house in Northwood Hills and give you an honest view of the options.